Weather Forecast

Norm Coleman to pull his negative advertising

Sen. Norm Coleman said today he will pull his negative advertising in the race against Democrat Al Franken and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley.

He promised to keep his negative commercials off the air for the rest of the campaign. His announcement does not affect outside groups that are buying broadcast time.

Coleman told reporters this morning that Minnesotans are worried about the troubled economy and that negative political ads only fuel their concerns.

The Republican senator, locked in what has become a nasty re-election battle, said he will continue to air ads highlighting his record and will respond to criticisms by Franken, Barkley or others strictly by talking about his record.

Coleman said some negative ads, such as those that criticize Franken, still could air in the coming days because they may be in the "pipeline."

However, he added, "I'm going to make a good-faith effort" to halt any negative ads.

Coleman said he spoke with the leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has aired ads attacking Franken, but said legally he cannot control what the group releases.

"Today people need hope, and a more positive campaign is a good place to start," he said.